LAKE STEVENS — There still aren’t enough ballots counted to pass a $17 million bond measure to build a new library here.
The second round of results from Tuesday’s special election, released Wednesday evening, show that 66 percent of the votes counted so far are in favor of the bond.
However, the measure can’t pass unless voter turnout is at least 40 percent compared to the most recent election. Since the last election was a presidential one, turnout was higher than normal and therefore the bar for the bond is high. A total of at least 8,464 votes need to come in. The tally was at 7,595 as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office.
In other words, another 869 ballots need to be counted, with at least 60 percent in support, to pass the bond.
“We will wait to see if the next vote counts validate the election and clear will expressed by those who did vote,” Sno-Isle executive director Jonalyn Woolf-Ivory said. “Then, we’ll discuss the results with our Board Trustees and the community before deciding on next steps.”
Granite Falls voter turnout had reached the 40 percent threshold and squeaked past the approval rate required to pass a bond. After Tuesday’s first count, the school district needed about 500 more ballots to come in, and they did.
A $13.7 million bond proposal to update the middle school, add a grandstand at the high school and improve security was trailing Tuesday with about 59 percent approval. For bonds, 60 percent is needed.
Wednesday’s results show the measure gained some ground and was at nearly 61 percent approval.
In the Stanwood-Camano School District, the minimum turnout requirement was met Tuesday. As of Wednesday, nearly 69 percent of voters supported a $147.5 million bond to build a new high school.
Jean Shumate, superintendent of the district, thanked voters in a written statement.
“This is not only a reflection of several years of strong planning but marks the beginning of an exciting time for our school district and community,” she wrote. “I continue to be impressed by the pride that our community has for our school district.”
The election results remain unofficial and the numbers are expected to be updated over the next few days. The results are set to be certified Feb. 24.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
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